Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Due for release on September 1, 2011 comes the first round of gold and silver bullion issues struck by the Perth Mint. Always an exciting time on the numismatic calendar, 2012 will have added significance with the release of the hotly anticipated Year of the Dragon bullion coinage, together with the continuation of traditional series favorites, the Kookaburra. The 2012 Koala Silver Bullion coins will be officially released on November 1st, 2011.

Australia 2012 $1 Year of the Dragon Silver Coin

Sure to set the bullion coin collecting world on fire over the next couple of months, with excited anticipation rumbling across various internet coin collecting forums, comes the "Big 3" from Perth Mint - The Kookaburra, Koala and Lunar Dragon.

Celebrating the auspicious Year of the Dragon, the fifth animal in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac, comes the series of Silver Bullion coins ranging from the 1/2oz all the way up to the massive 10 kilogram silver coin. As well as appealing to collectors, these superb releases are perfect for people born in the Year of the Dragon – 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000 and 2012. Those born under the influence of this sign are said to be confident, enterprising, independent, self-assured, brave and passionate.

With regards to the silver issues, no mintage limit applies to 1 kilo, 10oz, 5oz, 2oz and 1/2oz coins. Except for the 1 kilo release, production of these coins will close at the end of 2012 and The Perth Mint will declare each coin's official mintage. A maximum of 500 10 kilo coins will be produced on a mint-to-order basis. However, production will close at the end of 2012, when the coin's actual mintage will be declared. The Perth Mint will produce up to 300,000 1oz coins. Production will cease when the mintage is fully sold or at the end of the series, whichever comes first. Be warned, the 1oz Year of the Dragon Silver Coin is sure to sell-out very fast, being the most hotly pursued weight of the most hotly pursued lunar series.

Australia 2012 Year of the Dragon Gold Coin

The Year of the Dragon is also available as a gold bullion issue, with sizes ranging from 1/20oz up to a thoroughly impressive 10 Kilogram release. Similarly to the silver issues, there are no mintage limit applied to the 1kg, 10oz, 2oz, 1/2oz, 1/4oz, 1/10oz, and 1/20oz gold coins. However, production will close at the end of 2012, when The Perth Mint will declare each coin's official mintage. A maximum of 100 10kg coins will be produced on a mint-to-order basis. However, production will close at the end of 2012, when the coin's actual mintage will be declared. The Perth Mint will produce no more than 30,000 1oz coins. Production will cease when the mintage is fully sold or at the end of the series, whichever comes first.

Each gold or silver coin’s reverse depicts a dragon with a representation of a pearl. The Chinese character for ‘dragon’ and the inscription ‘Year of the Dragon’ also appear in the design with The Perth Mint’s traditional ‘P’ mintmark. The Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the 2012 year-date and the monetary denomination are shown on the obverse of each coin.

Euro Collections International would like collectors to know that Downies/ECI has started an official 2012 Year of the Dragon release blog at www.yearofthedragon.net.au, where you will find upcoming releases on a range of Year of the Dragon lunar coinage from around the world throughout 2011 & 2012.

Australia 2012 Kookaburra Silver Coin

Synonymous with all things Australian, the Kookaburra, with it's distinctive "laughing" call, has come to symbolise the Australian spirit of good nature amongst a sometimes harsh backdrop of conditions. The Kookaburra silver coins have come to be an important addition to world silver bullion releases, and the 2012 issue will be no exception. In 2012, The Perth Mint is releasing three silver bullion coins meticulously struck from 99.9% of silver in 1 kilo, 10oz and 1oz sizes. Only 500,000 1oz coins will be released. No mintage limit applies to 1kg and 10oz coins.

The coin’s reverse depicts a kookaburra sitting on a tree branch amid eucalyptus leaves. The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark and year-date are included in the design. Issued as Australian legal tender, the coin’s obverse bears the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on its obverse.

Australia 2012 Koala Silver Coin

Lastly, but certainly not least of all, we welcome the 2012 Koala bullion silver coin, to be released on November 1, 2011. Needing no introduction, the Koala silver coins have become a well-favoured inclusion in the Australian Silver Bullion Coin Program for several years now. Each year sees the designers at the Perth Mint come up with a new, eye-catching motif to feature on their coins. Released in a range of sizes, the 2012 Koala silver coins present a great range of choice for the investor or collector.

The koala is one of Australia's most popular animals, accounting for the exceptional success of the Australian Koala series. In 2012, The Perth Mint is releasing four silver bullion coins portraying an adult koala asleep on the branch of a tree. The reverse design also includes The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark and monetary denomination. The coin’s obverse bears the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on and is issued as legal tender under the Australian Currency Act 1965.

No mintage limit applies to these coins for 12 months. However, production will close at the end of 2012 and The Perth Mint will declare each coin’s official mintage.

So stay tuned to Euro Collections International - either through our Facebook or Twitter pages, our weekly informative newsletter or just here on the official ECI blog - as our range of 2012 Australia silver and gold bullion coins goes on sale from September 1, 2011.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

A truly magnificent example of numismatic design, this stunning 24-piece silver coin collection has been issued by the authority of Niue Island to celebrate the inventive mind and skill of Leonardo da Vinci.

Honouring the extraordinary foresight and technical brilliance of the ultimate Renaissance Man, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), this unique legal tender set is among the most prestigious, most breathtaking numismatic issues ever offered by ECI. An awe-inspiring presentation, the complete 24-coin collection measures a massive 166.80mm x 240mm, and comprises well over a KILO of .999 fine silver!

A gargantuan work of numismatic art, celebrating da Vinci’s Codex, this imposing collection features an incredible TWENTY-FOUR interlinked legal tender coins – each crafted to flawless Proof quality from 42.5g .999 fine silver. Exquisite examples of full-colour minting, each of those coins represents a part of the Codex – an astonishing collection of drawings and prose fusing art, engineering, anatomy and science, highlighted by da Vinci’s iconic Vitruvian Man. Individually superb, the 24 edgeless full-colour coins unite to form a seamless, absolutely perfect recreation of da Vinci’s work. Undoubtedly one of the most thrilling legal tender commemoratives ECI has had the privilege to offer our clients, this collection is also one of the finest presentations we have seen.

Protecting the spellbinding quality of this lavish, unparalleled commemorative issue, this majestic 24 coin .999 fine silver Proof collection is set between two sheets of thick Perspex, and then housed within a top quality timber box. Complete with an elegant stand, so you can display your new acquisition in style, as well as a detailed information booklet incorporating a Certificate of Authenticity confirming the mintage of just 500, every element of this extensive presentation is housed within a beautifully engraved timber case.

Friday, August 5, 2011

By the issuing authority of the Cook Islands, ECI is pleased to present a first in world numismatics with this stunning triptych silver coin, dedicated to the famous Dutch painter Hieronymus Bosch and his world renowned work of art entitled "The Garden of Earthly Delights"

Hieronymus Bosch was born Hieronymus van Aken. He signed a number of his paintings as "Bosch". The name derives from his birthplace, 's-Hertogenbosch, which is commonly called "Den Bosch". Little is known of Bosch’s life or training. He left behind no letters or diaries so nothing is known of his personality or his thoughts on the meaning of his art. It is generally assumed that either Bosch’s father or one of his uncles (as four out of the five brothers were painters) taught the artist to paint, but none of their works survive. He became a popular painter in his lifetime and often received commissions from abroad. In 1488 he joined the highly respected Brotherhood of Our Lady, an arch-conservative religious group of some 40 influential citizens of 's-Hertogenbosch, and 7,000 'outer-members' from around Europe.

Bosch produced several triptychs. Among his most famous is The Garden of Earthly Delights. This painting, for which the original title has not survived, depicts paradise with Adam and Eve and many wondrous animals on the left panel, the earthly delights with numerous nude figures and tremendous fruit and birds on the middle panel, and hell with depictions of fantastic punishments of the various types of sinners on the right panel. When the exterior panels are closed the viewer can see, painted in grisaille, God creating the Earth. These paintings—especially the Hell panel—are painted in a comparatively sketchy manner which contrasts with the traditional Flemish style of paintings. In this painting Bosch draws with his brush. Not surprisingly, Bosch is also one of the most revolutionary draftsmen in the history of art, producing some of the first autonomous sketches in Northern Europe.

Each panel of the triptych silver coin shows a different panel of the original painting, with the left panel showing the Garden of Eden and the moment that God presented Eve to Adam. The larger middle panel shows the expansive garden landscape from which the painting takes its name. It is neither paradise nor the terrestrial plain, as fantastic creatures are seen mingling with real, all amongst a bevvy of nude males and females engaging in a wide variety of activities. The right panel, perhaps the most famous of the triptych, symbolises Hell, where humans have succumb to the temptations of the Devil and reap eternal damnation.

The three individual coins are all struck from 92.5% sterling silver with the following specification:

Each panel of the triptych silver coin is individually encapsulated for ultimate protection, and presented in a high quality fold-out timber display unit that beautifully showcases this exquisite numismatic creation. Accompanying this impressive presentation is an information booklet detailing the history of Bosch and further details of the Garden of Earthly Delights painting. Also supplied is a Certificate of Authenticity attesting to the exclusive worldwide mintage of just 500 coins.